Truss



P. J. MAHAN.

- TRUSS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1. 1919.

1,340,903. Patented y 25, 1920.

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P. J. MAHAN.

TRUSS.

APPLICAT ON FILED JULY! Patented May 25,1920,

1. i t I IIIII III'Q Ill #7163866:

UNITED sures PETER J. MAI-IAN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TRUSS.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patented May 25;, 1920.

Application filed July 1, 1919. Serial No. 307,938.

To aZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, PETER J. MAHAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trusses, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved truss which will remain in place while being worn and at the same time will be comfortable to the wearer.

Another object is to make my improved truss of a simple and durable construction and so that it can be readily adjusted to suit various requirements as to the size of the person wearing the same and also as to the position in which it is necessary to place the usual retaining pad.

A still further object is to provide my improved truss with one or more leg straps which will be so connected that they will accommodate themselves to the necessary movements of the wearer and at the same time will assist in holding the retaining pad or pads in position.

These objects, and other advantageous ends which will be described hereinafter, I attain in the following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one form of my improved truss,

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken centrally through the body-belt and parts to which the ends of the belt are connected,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of certain of the elements shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and illustrating certain details of construction therein,

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4:

of Fig. 8,

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 6 is a view of the same general character as Fig. 2 and showing the same including two retaining pads and two leg straps.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, my invention consists of a flexible body-belt 7 which has its end portions inserted through wire loops 8 and 9, said wire loops having offset portions 10 which are pivotally mounted in eyelets 11 formed on the outer ends of two substantially flat springs 12 and 13. The opposite ends of the springs 12 and 13 have intermeshing eyelets 14: and 1% respectively, said eyelets being formed by cutting and turning the ends of the springs, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. A. rod 15 is inserted in a retaining pad 16, said retaining pad being dished or recessed at 17 so that said rod spans said recesses, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The rod 15 has a screw threaded end 18 which fits within a screw threaded hole 19 in the retaining pad 16. The retaining pad has a hole 20 in line with the other end of the rod 15 to permit the insertion of a small wire or other suitable means to assist in backing the rod 15 out of the retaining pad if it is desired to remove the same. The ends 21 of the retaining pad 16 have notches 22 therein so that the springs 12 and 13 extend from the rod 15 through the notches and are thereby prevented from moving lengthwise on the rod 15. it will be noted furthermore that the springs 12 and 13 extend at an angle to each other as clearly shown in Fig. 2.; this angle being opposite to the general direction which the belt assumes in passing around the body of a person. The springs 12 and 13 are provided with buttons 23 which are adapted to extend through any of the series of button holes 24 in the ends of the belt 7. By this means the belt can be adjusted to suit waists of different sizes.

A flexible strap 25 has a loop 26 formed on one end through which the body belt 7 freely slides. The opposite end of the leg strap 25 is provided with a wire loop 27 which has an offset portion 28 which embraces the rod 15 and is adapted to pivot or swing thereon below the springs 12 and 13. This strap 25 is adapted to pass between the legs of the wearer and serves to prevent the pad from rolling out of position when the truss is in use. Furthermore, the walking movement of the wearer will not be interfered with for the reason that the wire loop 27 can swing upwardly and downwardly and also partially rotate on the rod Also by providing the comparatively wide substantially fiat springs as above described which, if desired, can be covered or coated with any suitable soft or nonmetallic material, the tendency of the belt and springs is such as to remain flat against the skin and thereby securely but comfortably hold the truss in position.

By having the springs 12 and 13 arranged normally at an angle as above described, when the belt is placed in position and I drawn taut the springs will tend to flex over the extreme edges of the retaining pad and in so doing will push the retaining pad firmly against the body of the wearer so as to securely hold a hernia in place.

The leg strap is provided with an adjusting buckle 29 whereby the length of V the leg strap can be varied to suit various requirements.

In the form of my lnventlon shown 1n Fig. 6, I have illustrated two retaining pads 16 and16 Thesev pads are connected to gether by a single spring 30 which has its opposite ends pivotally connected to the rods 15 of the pads 16 and 16 Other springs 12 and 13 are also pivotally connected to the rod 15 in the same manner as the springs 12 and 13 above described. Each of the pads may be connected by a leg strap 25 in the same manner as above described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive. In all other respects the parts shown in Figs. 6 are similar to those described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive and I have therefore given corresponding parts similar reference numerals.

While I have described my invention as taking a particular form, it will be understood that the various parts of my invention may be chan ed without departing from the spirit thereo and hence I do not limit myself to the precise construction set forth,

but consider that I am at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A truss including a body-belt; a retaining pad having a recess therein; a rod extending through said recess; and springs pivoted to said rod and having portions projecting beyond the opposite ends of said pad and connected to the ends of said belt, said retaining pad having notches at opposite sides of said recess through which said springs extend whereby the springs are prevented from moving laterally; substantially as described.

2. A truss including a body-belt; a retaining pad; a rod screwed in said retaining pad; and springs connected to said rod, said springs projecting beyond the opposite ends of said pad, said springs being connected to said belt at positions remote from said ends of the retaining pad; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribin witnesses;

, IETER ,J. MAHAN. Witnesses:

' ANNA BENTON, CHAS. E. Porrrs. 

